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Interest Growing in USF Polytechnic Split

Published: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 11:04 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 11:04 p.m.

LAKELAND | Community interest is building in regard to a potential University of South Florida Polytechnic split from USF, as two boards plan to vote on resolutions supporting separation.

This week, the Central Florida Development Planning Council Inc. (CFDC Inc.) agreed to vote on a resolution supporting a split, said President Jerry Miller. And the Polk County Commission is scheduled to vote on a resolution Tuesday about the split, said commission Chairman Ed Smith.

The resolutions are being considered in the wake of a community letter in support of separation of the college that was signed by 30 people and sent to Ava Parker, chairwoman of the board of governors of the State University System, in late July.

Both votes are slated to take place prior to a planned mid-September meeting in Miami, when USF Poly Chancellor Marshall Goodman and USF President Judy Genshaft will appear before the board of governors to talk about the impact a split would have.

Miller said CFDC Inc., a nonprofit corporation, is quite interested in the issue and how it might impact the county. The full board, made up of about 60 members, will vote via email probably within a week or so. A resolution is being drafted this week.

"At our meeting on Monday, it was brought forward, because there are pros and cons," Miller said. "And we are the county's economic development organization, so the board voted to vote on it."

While there was much discussion about the topic, Miller said there were also quite a few questions. The board did not want to vote prematurely and decided to give members more time.

"We talked about it, and we went over the (community) letter," Miller said.

The idea that it might be best to remain connected to a strong university system like USF was brought up, Miller said, as was the issue of donated funds and which arrangement would best benefit USF Polytechnic.

"I can't help but think, and I'm just speaking from my personal side," Miller said. "I have one vote — that if Polk County has its own governance board, it seem like the voices of Polk County interests would be heard more."

Bonnie Parker, a Winter Haven banker who serves on the board of USF Poly, said community interest in the polytechnic is a positive no matter what. "I think it is great that the organizations in our county seem to be interested," she said. "And the fact that the CFDC is interested bodes well for everyone, because that means they have support of the business community. It's good that people are talking about it either way, because that means they care."

Miller said while many seem to feel it's a good move to separate from USF, there's also a general consensus that further study certainly can't hurt.

"When you disconnect from the mother ship, you have to make sure you have all the right support," he said.

[ Mary Toothman can be reached at mary.toothman@theledger.com or 863-802-7512. ]

<p>LAKELAND | Community interest is building in regard to a potential University of South Florida Polytechnic split from USF, as two boards plan to vote on resolutions supporting separation.</p><p>This week, the Central Florida Development Planning Council Inc. (CFDC Inc.) agreed to vote on a resolution supporting a split, said President Jerry Miller. And the Polk County Commission is scheduled to vote on a resolution Tuesday about the split, said commission Chairman Ed Smith.</p><p>The resolutions are being considered in the wake of a community letter in support of separation of the college that was signed by 30 people and sent to Ava Parker, chairwoman of the board of governors of the State University System, in late July.</p><p>Both votes are slated to take place prior to a planned mid-September meeting in Miami, when USF Poly Chancellor Marshall Goodman and USF President Judy Genshaft will appear before the board of governors to talk about the impact a split would have.</p><p>Miller said CFDC Inc., a nonprofit corporation, is quite interested in the issue and how it might impact the county. The full board, made up of about 60 members, will vote via email probably within a week or so. A resolution is being drafted this week.</p><p>"At our meeting on Monday, it was brought forward, because there are pros and cons," Miller said. "And we are the county's economic development organization, so the board voted to vote on it."</p><p>While there was much discussion about the topic, Miller said there were also quite a few questions. The board did not want to vote prematurely and decided to give members more time.</p><p>"We talked about it, and we went over the (community) letter," Miller said.</p><p>The idea that it might be best to remain connected to a strong university system like USF was brought up, Miller said, as was the issue of donated funds and which arrangement would best benefit USF Polytechnic.</p><p>"I can't help but think, and I'm just speaking from my personal side," Miller said. "I have one vote — that if Polk County has its own governance board, it seem like the voices of Polk County interests would be heard more."</p><p>Bonnie Parker, a Winter Haven banker who serves on the board of USF Poly, said community interest in the polytechnic is a positive no matter what. "I think it is great that the organizations in our county seem to be interested," she said. "And the fact that the CFDC is interested bodes well for everyone, because that means they have support of the business community. It's good that people are talking about it either way, because that means they care."</p><p>Miller said while many seem to feel it's a good move to separate from USF, there's also a general consensus that further study certainly can't hurt.</p><p>"When you disconnect from the mother ship, you have to make sure you have all the right support," he said.</p><p> </p><p>[ Mary Toothman can be reached at mary.toothman@theledger.com or 863-802-7512. ]</p>